Optical unit with shake correction function with magnetic rolling drive mechanism

ABSTRACT

An optical unit with a shake correction function may include an optical module which holds an optical element, a swing support mechanism structured to swingably support the optical module, a holder which holds the optical module through the swing support mechanism, a turnable support mechanism which turnably supports the holder around the axial line, a fixed body which supports the holder through the turnable support mechanism, a magnetic swing drive mechanism structured to swing the optical module, and a magnetic rolling drive mechanism structured to turn the holder. The magnetic swing drive mechanism may include a swing drive magnet fixed to the fixed body and a swing drive coil fixed to the optical module. The magnetic rolling drive mechanism may include a rolling drive magnet fixed to the fixed body and a rolling drive coil disposed on the holder.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present invention claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to JapaneseApplication No. 2016-219851 filed Nov. 10, 2016, the entire content ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

At least an embodiment of the present invention may relate to an opticalunit with a shake correction function which is mounted on a portableterminal or a movement body.

BACKGROUND

An imaging device which is mounted on a portable terminal or a movementbody such as a vehicle and an unmanned helicopter includes an opticalunit on which an optical module for photographing is mounted. This typeof an optical unit is required to suppress disturbance of a photographedimage due to a shake of an imaging device. Therefore, in Japanese PatentLaid-Open No. 2015-82072, an optical unit with a shake correctionfunction has been proposed which includes a swing drive mechanismstructured to swing an optical module in a pitching (vertical swing:tilting) direction and in a yawing (lateral swing: panning) directionand a rolling drive mechanism structured to turn the optical modulearound an optical axis.

The optical unit with a shake correction function described in theabove-mentioned Patent Literature includes an optical module which holdsan optical element, a swing support mechanism which swingably supportsthe optical module, a case which supports the optical module through theswing support mechanism, a turnable support mechanism which turnablysupports the case, and a fixed body which supports a holder through theturnable support mechanism. Further, the optical unit with a shakecorrection function described in the above-mentioned Patent Literatureincludes a magnetic swing drive mechanism structured to swing theoptical module and a magnetic rolling drive mechanism structured to turnthe case which supports the optical module.

The magnetic swing drive mechanism is structured between the opticalmodule and the case. In other words, the magnetic swing drive mechanismincludes a swing drive coil fixed to the optical module and a swingdrive magnet fixed to the case. The magnetic rolling drive mechanism isstructured between the case and the fixed body. In other words, themagnetic rolling drive mechanism includes a rolling drive magnet fixedto the case and a rolling drive coil fixed to the fixed body. Theoptical module, the case, the swing support mechanism and the magneticswing drive mechanism (swing drive magnet and swing drive coil)structure a movable body which is turnable with respect to the fixedbody.

In the above-mentioned Patent Literature, the movable body includes themagnetic swing drive mechanism (swing drive magnet and swing drivecoil). Therefore, the magnetic rolling drive mechanism is required toturn the optical module and the holder together with the magnetic swingdrive mechanism when a shake correction around an axial line is to beperformed. As a result, load (load of a torque) applied to the magneticrolling drive mechanism is large for performing a shake correctionaround the axial line.

SUMMARY

In view of the problem described above, at least an embodiment of thepresent invention may advantageously provide an optical unit with ashake correction function in which load applied to the magnetic rollingdrive mechanism can be reduced when a shake correction around the axialline is performed.

According to at least an embodiment of the present invention, there maybe provided an optical unit with a shake correction function includingan optical module which holds an optical element, a swing supportmechanism structured to swingably support the optical module between areference posture where a predetermined axial line and an optical axisare coincided with each other and an inclined posture where the opticalaxis is inclined with respect to the axial line, a holder which holdsthe optical module through the swing support mechanism, a turnablesupport mechanism which turnably supports the holder around the axialline, a fixed body which supports the holder through the turnablesupport mechanism, a magnetic swing drive mechanism structured to swingthe optical module, and a magnetic rolling drive mechanism structured toturn the holder. The magnetic swing drive mechanism includes a swingdrive magnet which is fixed to one of the optical module and the fixedbody, and a swing drive coil which is fixed to the other of the opticalmodule and the fixed body so as to face the swing drive magnet. Themagnetic rolling drive mechanism includes a rolling drive magnet whichis fixed to one of the holder and the fixed body, and a rolling drivecoil which is disposed on the other of the holder and the fixed body soas to face the rolling drive magnet.

According to at least an embodiment of the present invention, themagnetic swing drive mechanism includes a swing drive magnet, which isfixed to one of the optical module and the fixed body, and a swing drivecoil which is fixed to the other of the optical module and the fixedbody so as to face the swing drive magnet. In other words, in at leastan embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic swing drivemechanism is structured between the optical module and the fixed body.Therefore, the magnetic rolling drive mechanism is not required to turnthe optical module and the holder together with all the structure of themagnetic swing drive mechanism when a shake correction around the axialline is to be performed. In other words, when a shake correction aroundthe axial line is to be performed, the magnetic rolling drive mechanismturns only one of the drive magnet and the drive coil fixed to theoptical module structuring the magnetic swing drive mechanism togetherwith the optical module and the holder. Therefore, in comparison with acase that the magnetic swing drive mechanism is structured between theoptical module and the case as described in the above-mentioned PatentLiterature, load (load of a torque) applied to the magnetic rollingdrive mechanism can be made small for performing a shake correctionaround the axial line and a shake correction around the axial line canbe performed with a high degree of accuracy. Further, a shake correctionaround the axial line can be performed with a low power consumption.

In at least an embodiment of the present invention, the turnable supportmechanism includes a turnable bearing which supports the holder on anobject side with respect to the swing support mechanism. According tothis structure, for example, in a case that the optical module includesa lens made of glass or a lens having a large diameter as an opticalelement, even when a gravity center of the holder which supports theoptical module is displaced to an object side, a distance between thegravity center of the holder and the turnable support mechanism becomessmaller in comparison with a case that the turnable support mechanism islocated on an image side with respect to the swing support mechanism.Therefore, when an external force is applied, stress occurred in theturnable support mechanism can be suppressed and thus the damage of theturnable support mechanism or damage of portions supported by theturnable support mechanism can be prevented or restrained.

In at least an embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic swingdrive mechanism includes a first magnetic swing drive mechanism and asecond magnetic swing drive mechanism respectively structured to swingthe optical module and, when two directions perpendicular to the axialline and intersecting each other are referred to as a first directionand a second direction, the swing support mechanism swingably supportsthe optical module around a first axial line along the first directionand around a second axial line along the second direction. Further, therolling drive magnet and the rolling drive coil face each other in atleast one of the first direction and the second direction, and themagnetic rolling drive mechanism is disposed between the first magneticswing drive mechanism and the second magnetic swing drive mechanismaround the axial line. According to this structure, the magnetic rollingdrive mechanism can be disposed in a free space between the firstmagnetic swing drive mechanism and the second magnetic swing drivemechanism around the axial line. Further, the first magnetic swing drivemechanism, the second magnetic swing drive mechanism and the magneticrolling drive mechanism can be disposed at the same position in theaxial line direction and thus the size of the device can be easilyreduced in the axial line direction.

In at least an embodiment of the present invention, the first magneticswing drive mechanism includes a first swing drive coil fixed to theoptical module and a first swing drive magnet fixed to the fixed body,and the second magnetic swing drive mechanism includes a second swingdrive coil fixed to the optical module and a second swing drive magnetfixed to the fixed body, and the rolling drive coil is fixed to theholder and the rolling drive magnet is fixed to the fixed body.According to this structure, the magnetic rolling drive mechanism is notrequired to turn the first swing drive magnet and the second swing drivemagnet structuring the magnetic swing drive mechanism and the rollingdrive magnet together with the optical module and the holder. Therefore,load applied to the magnetic rolling drive mechanism can be furtherreduced for performing a shake correction around the axial line.

In at least an embodiment of the present invention, the optical moduleincludes a lens barrel which holds the optical element, and the swingsupport mechanism includes a frame body which surrounds the lens barrelaround the axial line, an optical module side support part whichswingably supports the frame body on the optical module side, and aholder side support part which swingably supports the frame body on theholder side. The optical module side support part and the holder sidesupport part are located between the first magnetic swing drivemechanism and the second magnetic swing drive mechanisms around theaxial line. Specifically, the frame body structuring the swing supportmechanism is a gimbal spring including a frame part and supporting pointparts provided in the frame part at four positions around the opticalaxis. The supporting point part includes a convex face in a hemisphericshape, the optical module side support part and the holder side supportpart respectively include a contact point part formed of a recessed partin a hemispheric shape, and the optical module side support part isswingably supported by the holder side support part by contacting theconvex face in the hemispheric shape of the supporting point part withthe contact point part formed in the recessed part in the hemisphericshape. According to this structure, the optical module side support partand the holder side support part of the swing support mechanism can bedisposed by effectively utilizing a free space between the firstmagnetic swing drive mechanism and the second magnetic swing drivemechanism around the axial line.

In at least an embodiment of the present invention, one of the rollingdrive coil and the rolling drive magnet is fixed to the holder sidesupport part. According to this structure, one of the rolling drive coiland the rolling drive magnet can be fixed to the holder by utilizing theholder side support part.

In at least an embodiment of the present invention, the lens barrel isinserted on an inner peripheral side with respect to the turnablebearing. Specifically, the turnable bearing is a ball bearing, an outerring of the ball bearing is held by a circular-shaped inner peripheralface of a case structuring the fixed body, an inner ring of the ballbearing is held on an outer peripheral side of a cylindrical tube partof the holder, and the lens barrel of the optical module which holds theoptical element is held on an inner peripheral side of the cylindricaltube part of the holder. According to this structure, the gravity centerof the holder which supports the optical module and the turnable bearingwhich turnably supports the holder can be easily disposed at a nearposition each other. Further, the lens barrel of the optical module canbe protected from an outer peripheral side by the turnable bearing.

In at least an embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic rollingdrive mechanism includes a magnetic sensor which is attached to one ofthe holder and the fixed body where the rolling drive coil is fixed, therolling drive magnet is polarized and magnetized in a circumferentialdirection around the axial line, and the magnetic sensor faces amagnetized polarizing line of the rolling drive magnet when the holderis located at a predetermined home position around the axial line.Specifically, it may be structured that the rolling drive magnet isfixed to the fixed body, and the rolling drive coil and the magneticsensor are fixed to the holder. In this case, it may be structured thatthe rolling drive coil is formed in a frame shape whose center isopened, and the magnetic sensor is located in an opening of the rollingdrive coil formed in the frame shape. Further, it may be structured thatthe rolling drive coil is formed in a substantially rectangular frameshape whose two long sides are extended in a direction of the axialline, the magnetic sensor is provided at a middle position in thecircumferential direction with respect to the two long sides, and themagnetic sensor faces the magnetized polarizing line of the rollingdrive magnet at the home position. According to this structure, the homeposition of the holder which holds the optical module can be obtainedbased on an output from the magnetic sensor. Further, a shake correctionaround the axial line can be performed by controlling power feeding tothe rolling drive coil based on an output from the magnetic sensor.

In at least an embodiment of the present invention, the optical unitwith a shake correction function further comprises a turning anglerestriction mechanism which restricts a turning angle range of theholder, and the turning angle restriction mechanism includes a protrudedpart, which is protruded in a direction intersecting the optical axisfrom one of the holder and the fixed body, and a turning anglerestriction part which is provided in the other of the holder and thefixed body so as to be capable of abutting with the protruded part inthe circumferential direction around the optical axis. According to thisstructure, the optical module (holder) can be prevented from beingexcessively turned.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing detailed description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings that illustrate, by way of example, variousfeatures of embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, withreference to the accompanying drawings which are meant to be exemplary,not limiting, and wherein like elements are numbered alike in severalFigures, in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views showing an optical unit with ashake correction function in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention which is viewed from an object side.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an optical unit with a shakecorrection function which is viewed from an image side.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the optical unit with ashake correction function shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B which is viewed froman object side.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the optical unit with a shakecorrection function which is cut by the “A-A” line in FIG. 1A.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are cross-sectional views showing the optical unit witha shake correction function which is cut by the plane passing the firstaxial line in FIGS. 1A and 1B in the “Z”-axis direction.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are cross-sectional views showing the optical unit witha shake correction function which is cut by the plane passing the secondaxial line in FIGS. 1A and 1B in the “Z”-axis direction.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are perspective views showing a first case to which afixed body and drive magnets are fixed.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are perspective views showing a movable body.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an optical module.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an optical module.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are perspective views showing a holder which areviewed from an object side and an image side.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a holder which is viewed from aside of a support post to which a magnetic sensor is fixed.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a movable frame.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing an optical unit with a shakecorrection function which is cut by a plane perpendicular to an axialline.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of an optical unit with a shake correction function to whichthe present invention is applied will be described below with referenceto the accompanying drawings.

(Entire Structure)

In this specification, three-axes of “X”, “Y” and “Z” are directionsperpendicular to each other. One side in the “X”-axis direction isindicated with “+X”, the other side is indicated with “−X”, one side inthe “Y”-axis direction is indicated with “+Y”, the other side isindicated with “−Y”, one side in the “Z”-axis direction is indicatedwith “+Z”, and the other side is indicated with “−Z”. The “Z”-axis(axial line) direction is a direction along an optical axis “L” of anoptical module 4 mounted on a movable body 10 in a state that themovable body 10 of an optical unit 1 with a shake correction function isnot swung. Further, the “−Z” direction is an image side in the opticalaxis “L” direction, and the “+Z” direction is an object side (object tobe photographed side) in the optical axis “L” direction.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views showing an optical unit 1 with ashake correction function which is viewed from the “+Z” direction side.In FIG. 1A, the optical unit 1 with a shake correction function isviewed from the “−X” direction side and the “−Y” direction side and, inFIG. 1B, the optical unit 1 with a shake correction function is viewedfrom the “−Y” direction side and the “+X” direction side. FIG. 2 is aperspective view showing the optical unit 1 with a shake correctionfunction which is viewed from the “−Z” direction side. FIG. 3 is anexploded perspective view showing the optical unit 1 with a shakecorrection function which is viewed from the “+Z” direction side. FIG. 4is a cross-sectional view showing the optical unit 1 with a shakecorrection function which is cut by the “A-A” line in FIG. 1A. FIGS. 5Aand 5B are cross-sectional views showing the optical unit 1 with a shakecorrection function which is cut by the plane passing the first axialline “R1” and the “Z”-axis (third axial line “R3”) in FIGS. 1A and 1B.FIGS. 6A and 6B are cross-sectional views showing the optical unit 1with a shake correction function which is cut by the plane passing thesecond axial line “R2” and the “Z”-axis (third axial line “R3”) in FIGS.1A and 1B. The optical unit 1 with a shake correction function is, forexample, used in an optical device such as a cell phone with a camera ora drive recorder, or in an optical device such as an action cameramounted on a helmet, a bicycle, a radio-controlled helicopter or thelike, or a wearable camera. In the optical device, when a shake isoccurred at the time of photographing, the optical unit 1 with a shakecorrection function is driven to correct the shake for avoiding adisturbance of a photographed image.

As shown in FIGS. 1A through 4, the optical unit 1 with a shakecorrection function includes an optical module 4 which holds an opticalelement 3, a gimbal mechanism 5 (swing support mechanism) whichswingably supports the optical module 4, and a holder 6 which supportsthe optical module 4 through the gimbal mechanism 5. The gimbalmechanism 5 swingably supports the optical module 4 between a referenceattitude where the “Z”-axis (predetermined axial line) and an opticalaxis are coincided with each other and an inclined attitude where theoptical axis is inclined with respect to the “Z”-axis. In other words,the optical module 4 is swingably supported by the gimbal mechanism 5around the first axial line “R1” intersecting the optical axis “L” andaround the second axial line “R2” intersecting the optical axis “L” andthe first axial line “R1”. The first axial line “R1” and the secondaxial line “R2” are perpendicular to the “Z”-axis and are perpendicularto each other.

Further, the optical unit 1 with a shake correction function includes aturnable support mechanism 7 which turnably supports the holder 6 and afixed body 8 which supports the holder 6 through the turnable supportmechanism 7. The turnable support mechanism 7 is a ball bearing 9(turnable bearing) and is structured so that the holder 6 is capable ofturning around the third axial line “R3”. The third axial line “R3” isthe “Z”-axis direction. In this embodiment, the optical module 4, theholder 6 and the gimbal mechanism 5 structure the movable body 10 whichis capable of being displaced with respect to the fixed body 8. Agyroscope 11 is attached to an end portion in the “−Z” direction of theoptical module 4 as shown in FIG. 2.

In addition, the optical unit 1 with a shake correction functionincludes, as shown in FIGS. 2 through 6B, a magnetic swing drivemechanism 15 structured to swing the optical unit 1 around the firstaxial line “R1” and around the second axial line “R2”, and a magneticrolling drive mechanism 16 structured to turn the optical unit 1 and theholder 6 around the third axial line “R3”. The magnetic swing drivemechanism 15 is structured between the optical unit 1 and the fixed body8. The magnetic swing drive mechanism 15 includes a first magnetic swingdrive mechanism 21 and a second magnetic swing drive mechanism 22. Themagnetic rolling drive mechanism 16 is structured between the holder 6and the fixed body 8. The magnetic rolling drive mechanism 16 is locatedbetween the first magnetic swing drive mechanism 21 and the secondmagnetic swing drive mechanism 22 around the third axial line “R3”.

(Fixed Body)

FIG. 7A is a perspective view showing the fixed body 8 and FIG. 7B is aperspective view showing a state that a third case 28 is detached fromthe fixed body 8. The fixed body 8 includes a first case 26 which isformed in a substantially octagonal outward shape when viewed in the“Z”-axis direction, a second case 27 which is assembled to the firstcase 26 from the “−Z” direction side, and a third case 28 which isassembled to the first case 26 from the “+Z” direction side.

The first case 26 is provided with a body part 31 in an octagonal tubeshape which surrounds the movable body 10. The body part 31 is providedwith two side plate parts 31 x which face in the “X” direction and twoside plate parts 31 y which face in the “Y” direction. Further, the bodypart 31 is provided with two side wall parts 31 m, which face in a firstintermediate direction “M” (direction along the first axial line “R1”)between the “+X” direction and the “+Y” direction, and two side wallparts 31 n which face in a second intermediate direction “N” (directionalong the second axial line “R2”) between the “+X” direction and the“−Y” direction.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7B, a first drive magnet 33 (first swing drivemagnet) in a rectangular shape is fixed to each of wall faces on aninner peripheral side of two side plate parts 31 x facing in the “X”direction. The first drive magnets 33 structure a first magnetic swingdrive mechanism 21 together with first drive coils 34 (first swing drivecoil) which are attached to the optical module 4. The first drive magnet33 in a rectangular shape is divided into two pieces in the “Z”-axisdirection and is magnetized so that magnetic poles of their inner facesare different from each other at a divided position as a boundary. Asshown in FIG. 7B, a second drive magnet 35 (second swing drive magnet)in a rectangular shape is fixed to each of wall faces on an innerperipheral side of two side plate parts 31 y facing in the “Y”direction. The second drive magnets 35 structure a second magnetic swingdrive mechanism 22 together with second drive coils 36 (second swingdrive coil) which are attached to the optical module 4. The second drivemagnet 35 is divided into two pieces in the “Z”-axis direction and ismagnetized so that magnetic poles of their inner faces are differentfrom each other at a divided position as a boundary.

As shown in FIG. 5A and FIGS. 7A and 7B, no magnet is fixed to wallfaces on an inner peripheral side of two side wall parts 31 m facing inthe first intermediate direction “M” between the “+X” direction and the“+Y” direction. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6A, a third drivemagnet 37 (rolling drive magnet) in a rectangular shape is fixed to eachof wall faces on an inner peripheral side of two side wall parts 31 nfacing in the second intermediate direction “N” between the “+X”direction and the “−Y” direction. The third drive magnets 37 structurethe magnetic rolling drive mechanism 16 together with the third drivecoils 38 attached to the optical module 4. The third drive magnet 37 isdivided into two pieces in a circumferential direction around the“Z”-axis and is polarized and magnetized so that magnetic poles of theirinner faces are different from each other at a divided position as aboundary. A magnetized polarizing line 37 a of the third drive magnet 37is extended in the “Z”-axis direction at a center in a circumferentialdirection of the third drive magnet 37 and is parallel to the opticalaxis “L”. The third drive coil 38 is formed in a substantiallyrectangular frame shape and its two long sides parallel to each otherare extended in the “Z”-axis direction, in other words, so as to beparallel to the optical axis “L”.

The second case 27 is a plate member 40 formed in an octagonal frameshape. A rectangular opening part 40 a is provided in a center portionof the second case 27.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the third case 28 is provided with an octagonalplate part 41 corresponding to an outward shape of the first case 26 andan octagonal tube part 42 which is extended to the “−Z” direction froman outer peripheral edge of the plate part 41. A circular opening 41 ais provided at a center of the plate part 41. The octagonal tube part 42is provided with a circular-shaped inner peripheral face 42 a. Thecircular-shaped inner peripheral face 42 a is coaxial with the circularopening 41 a. Further, an inner diameter dimension of thecircular-shaped inner peripheral face 42 a is larger than that of thecircular opening 41 a. A first opening part 43 a in a rectangular shapeis provided in the side wall part 43 on the “−X” direction side of eightside wall parts 43 structuring the octagonal tube part 42. Further, asshown in FIG. 1B, a second opening part 43 b in a rectangular shape isprovided in the side wall part 43 on the “+X” direction side of eightside wall parts 43 structuring the octagonal tube part 42. As shown inFIG. 1A, a projection 44 (turning angle restriction part) provided inthe holder 6 is inserted into an inner side of the first opening part 43a from an inner peripheral side. A flexible printed circuit board 100 isdisposed on an inner side of the second opening part 43 b as shown inFIG. 1B.

As shown in FIG. 4, a ball bearing 9 is inserted on an inner peripheralside of the octagonal tube part 42. An outer ring 9 a of the ballbearing 9 is fixed and held by the circular-shaped inner peripheral face42 a of the octagonal tube part 42. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG.4, a cylindrical tube part 45 provided in an end portion in the “+Z”direction of the holder 6 is inserted on an inner peripheral side of theball bearing 9. Further, an inner ring 9 b of the ball bearing 9 is heldby an outer peripheral side of the cylindrical tube part 45 of theholder 6 in a pressurized state. As a result, the fixed body 8 turnablyholds the holder 6. In this embodiment, a lens barrel 51 of the opticalmodule 4 is inserted on an inner peripheral side of the cylindrical tubepart 45 of the holder 6. Therefore, the optical module 4 is inserted onan inner peripheral side of the ball bearing 9. When viewed in adirection perpendicular to the “Z” direction, a part of the lens barrel51 is overlapped with the ball bearing 9.

(Movable Body)

FIGS. 8A and 8B are perspective views showing the movable body 10 whichis viewed from the “+Z” direction side. In FIG. 8A, the movable body 10is viewed from the “−X” direction side and the “−Y” direction side and,in FIG. 8B, the movable body 10 is viewed from the “−Y” direction sideand the “+X” direction side. As shown in FIGS. 3, 8A and 8B, the movablebody 10 includes the optical module 4, the holder 6 and the gimbalmechanism 5. Further, the movable body 10 includes a spring member 47which is provided between the optical module 4 and the holder 6.

(Optical Module)

FIGS. 9 and 10 are perspective views showing the optical module 4. Asshown in FIG. 9, the optical module 4 includes a module main body part49 having the optical element 3 and an imaging element 48, and a lensbarrel holder 50 which holds the module main body part 49 from an outerperipheral side.

The module main body part 49 includes the lens barrel 51 and a lensbarrel support member 52 which holds an end portion in the “−Z”direction of the lens barrel 51. The lens barrel 51 holds a plurality ofoptical elements 3 such as a lens on its inner peripheral side. In thisembodiment, at least one of a plurality of the optical elements 3 ismade of glass and other optical elements 3 are made of plastic. However,all of the plurality of the optical elements 3 may be made of plastic.The lens barrel support member 52 is, as shown in FIG. 9, provided witha tube part 53 and a rectangular plate part 54 which closes an endportion in the “−Z” direction of the tube part 53. An end portion in the“−Z” direction of the lens barrel 51 is inserted into the tube part 53from the “+Z” direction side. As shown in FIGS. 4, 5A and 6A, theimaging element 48 is fixed to an end face on the “+Z” direction side ofthe rectangular plate part 54 and is located on an inner side of thetube part 53. A gyroscope 11 is fixed to a center portion of an end faceon the “−Z” direction side of the rectangular plate part 54. The imagingelement 48 and the gyroscope 11 are located at positions overlappingwith the optical axis of the optical element 3 held by the opticalmodule 4. A protruded portion 51 a of the lens barrel 51 which isprotruded from the lens barrel support member 52 to the “+Z” directionis located on an inner peripheral side with respect to the ball bearing9 and, when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the “Z”-axis, theprotruded portion 51 a of the lens barrel 51 is overlapped with the ballbearing 9.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the lens barrel holder 50 is provided with aholding tube 55 extended in the “Z”-axis direction and a substantiallyoctagonal plate part 58 enlarged to an outer peripheral side from an endin the “−Z” direction of the holding tube 55. The module main body part49 (lens barrel support member 52) is press-fitted to the holding tube55 in the “Z” direction and is held by the holding tube 55. The holdingtube 55 is provided with four protruded parts 59 which are protruded tothe “+X” direction, the “−X” direction, the “+Y” direction and the “−Y”direction on its outer peripheral face. An end face in the “+Z”direction of the holding tube 55 and end faces in the “+Z” direction ofthe respective protruded parts 59 are continuously formed without astep. The end face in the “+Z” direction of the holding tube 55 and theend faces in the “+Z” direction of the respective protruded parts 59 areused as an optical module side spring member fixing part 76 to which thespring member 47 is fixed. The spring member 47 is fixed to the opticalmodule side spring member fixing part 76 through an adhesive layer whichis formed on the optical module side spring member fixing part 76.Therefore, in a state that the spring member 47 is fixed, the springmember 47 is floated from the optical module side spring member fixingpart 76 to the “+Z” direction. The plate part 58 is provided with sixwall parts 60 which are stood up to the “+Z” direction at six positionssurrounding an outer peripheral side of the holding tube 55. The sixwall parts 60 are comprised of two wall parts 60 x facing in the “X”direction, two wall parts 60 y facing in the “Y” direction, and two wallparts 60 m facing in the first intermediate direction “M”. The platepart 58 is provided with cut-out parts 61 in the second intermediatedirection “N” where the wall parts 60 are not formed. The lens barrel 51is provided with the protruded portion 51 a protruding from an end parton the “+Z” direction side of the lens barrel holder 50 to the “+Z”direction.

Each of two wall parts 60 x facing in the “X” direction is provided witha first coil holding part 62 whose outer peripheral face holds a firstdrive coil 34. Each of two wall parts 60 y facing in the “Y” directionis provided with a second coil holding part 63 whose outer peripheralface holds a second drive coil 36. The first coil holding part 62 andthe second coil holding part 63 are rectangular protruded parts whichare long in the circumferential direction around the “Z”-axis. The firstdrive coil 34 is fixed to the lens barrel holder 50 in a state that thefirst coil holding part 62 is inserted into a center hole of the firstdrive coil 34. The second drive coil 36 is fixed to the lens barrelholder 50 in a state that the second coil holding part 63 is insertedinto a center hole of the second drive coil 36. As shown in FIG. 4, thefirst coil holding part 62 and the second coil holding part 63 arerespectively protruded to an outer peripheral side from the centers ofthe drive coils 34 and 36.

The two wall parts 60 m facing in the first intermediate direction “M”are provided with first contact spring holding parts 71 structuring thegimbal mechanism 5 on their inner peripheral faces.

(Holder)

FIG. 11A is a perspective view showing the holder 6 which is viewed fromthe “+Z” direction side and FIG. 11B is a perspective view showing theholder 6 which is viewed from the “−Z” direction side. FIG. 12 is aperspective view showing the holder 6 which is viewed from the “+Z”direction side. In FIG. 12, the holder 6 is viewed from the “−Y”direction side and the “+X” direction side. As shown in FIG. 11A, theholder 6 is provided with a cylindrical tube part 45 which is insertedon an inner peripheral side of the ball bearing 9 and a ring-shapedplate part 73 which is enlarged to an outer peripheral side from an endedge in the “−Z” direction of the cylindrical tube part 45. A contourshape of the ring-shaped plate part 73 when viewed in the “Z”-axisdirection is a substantially circle and the ring-shaped plate part 73 isprovided with a projection 44 protruded to an outer peripheral side in apart in the circumferential direction.

A pair of support posts 74 extended to the “−Z” direction is provided inportions of the ring-shaped plate part 73 at positions facing in thesecond intermediate direction “N” with the cylindrical tube part 45interposing therebetween. As shown in FIG. 11B, a tip end portion ofeach of the support posts 74 is provided with a second contact springholding part 72 structuring the gimbal mechanism 5 on its innerperipheral side portion. Further, each of the support posts 74 isprovided on its outer peripheral face with a third coil holding part 69which holds the third drive coil 38. As shown in FIG. 12, the third coilholding part 69 is provided with a pair of vertical ribs 64 extended inparallel to the “Z” direction and a lateral rib 65 which connects bothends in the “−Z” direction of the pair of the vertical ribs 64. Thethird drive coil 38 is fixed to the support post 74 in a state that thepair of the vertical ribs 64 and the lateral rib 65 are inserted into acenter hole of the third drive coil 38. In this embodiment, a portionsurrounded by the pair of the vertical ribs 64 and the lateral rib 65 inone of the pair of the support posts 74 is used as a sensor holding part66. The sensor holding part 66 is fixed with a magnetic sensor 67 and atemperature sensor 68. In this embodiment, the magnetic sensor 67 is aHall element. The temperature sensor 68 is a thermistor.

As shown in FIG. 11B, rectangular projections 75 protruded to the “−Z”direction are provided on portions of an end face in the “−Z” directionof the ring-shaped plate part 73 which are located on both sides in the“X” direction with the cylindrical tube part 45 interposingtherebetween. Further, rectangular projections 75 protruded to the “−Z”direction are provided on portions of the end face in the “−Z” directionof the ring-shaped plate part 73 which are located on both sides in the“Y” direction with the cylindrical tube part 45 interposingtherebetween. An end face in the “−Z” direction of each of theprojections 75 is formed in a flat face and is used as a holder sidespring member fixing part 77 for fixing the spring member 47. In a casethat the holder 6 holds the optical module 4 through the gimbalmechanism 5, as shown in FIG. 8A, the support posts 74 of the holder 6are inserted into portions of the optical module 4 where the wall parts60 are not provided.

The flexible printed circuit board 100 is fixed to the holder 6. Theflexible printed circuit board 100 is connected with two third drivecoils 38, the magnetic sensor 67 and the temperature sensor 68. Theflexible printed circuit board 100 is provided with a circular circuitboard portion 101 into which the cylindrical tube part 45 is insertedand coil connected parts 102 and 103 which are protruded to an outerside from an outer peripheral edge portion of the circular circuit boardportion 101 on one side and the other side with its center holeinterposing therebetween in the second intermediate direction “N”.Further, the flexible printed circuit board 100 is provided with acircuit board extended part 104 which is protruded to an outerperipheral side from an outer peripheral edge portion of the circularcircuit board portion 101 which is close to the coil connected part 102.

The circular circuit board portion 101 is fixed to the holder 6 with aposture along an end face in the “+Z” direction of the ring-shaped platepart 73. The coil connected part 102 is bent from the circular circuitboard portion 101 to the “−Z” direction along a side face of thering-shaped plate part 73 and is connected with one of the third drivecoils 38. The coil connected part 103 is bent from the circular circuitboard portion 101 to the “−Z” direction along the side face of thering-shaped plate part 73 and is connected with the other of the thirddrive coils 38. In this embodiment, the coil connected part 102 isprovided with the extended part 102 a which is extended on an inner sideof the third drive coil 38 formed in a substantially rectangular frameshape. The magnetic sensor 67 and the temperature sensor 68 are mountedon the extended part 102 a.

The circuit board extended part 104 is provided with an inner side fixedportion 106, which is bent from the circular circuit board portion 101to the “−Z” direction along the side face of the ring-shaped plate part73 and is fixed to the side face of the ring-shaped plate part 73, aninner side extended portion 107 extended to one side in thecircumferential direction from the inner side fixed portion 106, acurved portion 108, which is curved toward an outer peripheral side froma tip end of the inner side extended portion 107 and in a directionreturning to a side of the inner side fixing portion 106, an outer sideextended portion 109 continuously extended to the other side in thecircumferential direction from the curved portion 108, an outer sidefixed portion 110 continuously extended from a tip end of the outer sideextended portion 109, and a connected portion 111 which is extended toan outer peripheral side from an end edge in the “−Z” direction of theouter side fixed portion 110. Each of thickness directions of the innerside extended portion 107 and the outer side extended portion 109 isdirected to a direction perpendicular to the “Z”-axis. Further, theinner side extended portion 107 and the outer side extended portion 109face each other through a gap space interposing therebetween in a radialdirection. In this embodiment, the outer side extended portion 109 is,as shown in FIG. 1B, fixed to an outer peripheral face portion of thethird case 28 of the fixed body 8 which is adjacent to the secondopening part 43 b in the circumferential direction. A flexible part 104a of the circuit board extended part 104 structured of the inner sideextended portion 107, the curved portion 108 and the outer side extendedportion 109 is overlapped with the second opening part 43 b when viewedin a direction perpendicular to the “Z”-axis, and at least a part of theflexible part 104 a is located on an inner side of the second openingpart 43 b.

(Gimbal Mechanism)

The gimbal mechanism 5 will be described below with reference to FIGS.5A through 6B, and FIGS. 13 and 14. FIG. 13 is a perspective viewshowing a movable frame 83. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showingthe optical unit 1 with a shake correction function which is cut by aplane perpendicular to the “Z”-axis. The gimbal mechanism 5 isstructured between the optical module 4 (lens barrel holder 50) and theholder 6. The gimbal mechanism 5 includes, when the optical module 4 isassembled to the holder 6, first swing support parts 81 (optical moduleside support parts, see FIGS. 5A and 5B), which are disposed at twopositions separated from each other in the first axial line “R1”direction, and second swing support parts 82 (holder side support parts,see FIGS. 6A and 6B) which are disposed at two positions separated fromeach other in the second axial line “R2” direction. Further, the gimbalmechanism 5 includes the movable frame 83 (frame body) which issupported by the first swing support parts 81 and the second swingsupport parts 82. The first swing support parts 81 are provided in theoptical module 4 and the second swing support parts 82 are provided inthe holder 6.

The movable frame 83 includes a frame-shaped gimbal spring 84 formed ina substantially octagonal shape as shown in FIG. 13. The gimbal spring84 is provided with a frame part having a constant width and supportingpoint parts 86 provided at four positions of the frame part around theoptical axis “L”. The supporting point part 86 is protruded to an outerside from a center in the circumferential direction of each of four sideportions of the octagonal shape. Each of spherical bodies 85 is fixed toan outer peripheral face of each of the supporting point parts 86 bywelding or the like. A convex face in a hemispheric shape facing to anouter side of the movable frame 83 is provided at each of the supportingpoint parts 86 by the spherical body 85. The first swing support parts81 and the second swing support parts 82 support the respectivesupporting point parts 86 from an outer peripheral side. In thisembodiment, the gimbal spring 84 is a laminated body structured of aplurality of plate-shaped springs which are laminated in the opticalaxis “L” direction (“Z”-axis direction).

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the first swing support part 81 includes afirst contact spring holding part 71 provided in the lens barrel holder50 of the optical module 4, a first contact point spring 87 which isheld by the first contact spring holding part 71, and an elasticadhesive 88. The first contact point spring 87 is a metal plate springwhich is bent in a “U”-shape. As shown in FIG. 5B, the first contactpoint spring 87 is provided with an inner side plate spring part 87 aextended in the “Z” direction, an outer side plate spring part 87 bwhich is extended in the “Z” direction on an outer peripheral side withrespect to the inner side plate spring part 87 a with a gap spacebetween the inner side plate spring part 87 a and the outer side platespring part 87 b, and a connection spring part 87 c which is extended ina radial direction and connects an end in the “−Z” direction of theinner side plate spring part 87 a with an end in the “−Z” direction ofthe outer side plate spring part 87 b. Thickness directions of the innerside plate spring part 87 a and the outer side plate spring part 87 bare directed to the radial direction. The inner side plate spring part87 a is provided with a spring side contact point part 87 d formed in ahemispheric recessed part. The spherical body 85 welded to thesupporting point part 86 of the movable frame 83 is contacted with thespring side contact point part 87 d from an inner peripheral side. As aresult, the movable frame 83 swingably supports the optical module 4(first swing support part 81). The elastic adhesive 88 is filled betweenthe inner side plate spring part 87 a and the outer side plate springpart 87 b. The elastic adhesive 88 provides elasticity in a hardenedstate.

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the second swing support part 82 include asecond contact spring holding part 72 provided in each of the supportposts 74 of the holder 6, a second contact point spring 89 which is heldby the second contact spring holding part 72, and an elastic adhesive90. The second contact point spring 89 is a metal plate spring which isbent in a “U”-shape and is the same shape as the first contact pointspring 87. In other words, the second contact point spring 89 isprovided with an inner side plate spring part 89 a extended in the “Z”direction, an outer side plate spring part 89 b which is extended in the“Z” direction on an outer peripheral side with respect to the inner sideplate spring part 89 a with a gap space between the inner side platespring part 89 a and the outer side plate spring part 89 b, and aconnection spring part 89 c which is extended in a radial direction andconnects an end in the “+Z” direction of the inner side plate springpart 89 a with an end in the “+Z” direction of the outer side platespring part 89 b. Thickness directions of the inner side plate springpart 89 a and the outer side plate spring part 89 b are directed to theradial direction. The inner side plate spring part 89 a is provided witha spring side contact point part 89 d formed in a hemispheric recessedpart. The spherical body 85 welded to the supporting point part 86 ofthe movable frame 83 is contacted with the spring side contact pointpart 87 d from an inner peripheral side. As a result, the movable frame83 is swingably supported by the holder 6 (second swing support part82). The elastic adhesive 90 is filled between the inner side platespring part 89 a and the outer side plate spring part 89 b. The elasticadhesive 90 provides elasticity in a hardened state.

In a state that the optical module 4 is held by the holder 6 through thegimbal mechanism 5, as shown in FIG. 14, the optical module 4 isswingably supported around two axial lines, i.e., around the first axialline “R1” which passes the pair of the supporting point parts 86 of themovable frame 83 supported by the first swing support parts 81 of theoptical module 4 and, around the second axial line “R2” which passes thepair of the supporting point parts 86 of the movable frame 83 supportedby the second swing support parts 82 of the holder 6.

(Spring Member)

The spring member 47 is, as shown in FIGS. 4, 5A and 6A, providedbetween the optical module side spring member fixing part 76 of theoptical module 4 and the holder side spring member fixing part 77(projection 75 of ring-shaped plate part 73) of the holder 6 andconnects the holder 6 with the optical module 4. A reference posture ofthe optical module 4 in a stationary state is determined by the springmember 47. In the reference posture, the optical axis of the opticalmodule 4 and the “Z”-axis are coincided with each other.

As shown in FIG. 3, the spring member 47 is a plate spring which is madeof a metal plate formed in a rectangular frame shape. The spring member47 is provided with four holder side connecting parts 91 provided on itsouter peripheral part. The respective holder side connecting parts 91are fixed to the holder side spring member fixing parts 77 (projections75 of the ring-shaped plate part 73) and, as a result, the spring member47 is connected with the holder 6. Further, the spring member 47 isprovided with an optical module side connecting part 92 in a circularframe shape on its inner peripheral part. The optical module sideconnecting part 92 of the spring member 47 is fixed to the opticalmodule side spring member fixing part 76 through an adhesive layer and,as a result, the spring member 47 is connected with the optical module4. The holder side connecting parts 91 and the optical module sideconnecting part 92 are connected with each other through arm parts 93.The arm part 93 is curved between the optical module side spring memberfixing part 76 and the holder side connecting part 91.

(Shake Correction Drive Mechanism)

In this embodiment, in a state that the holder 6 which holds the opticalmodule 4 is held by the fixed body 8 through the ball bearing 9, asshown in FIGS. 4 and 14, on the “+X” direction side and the “−X”direction side of the lens barrel 51 of the optical module 4, the firstdrive coil 34 fixed to the optical module 4 and the first drive magnet33 fixed to the fixed body 8 face each other to structure the firstmagnetic swing drive mechanism 21. Further, in a state that the holder 6which holds the optical module 4 is held by the fixed body 8 through theball bearing 9, as shown in FIG. 14, on the “+Y” direction side and the“−Y” direction side of the lens barrel 51 of the optical module 4, thesecond drive coil 36 fixed to the optical module 4 and the second drivemagnet 35 fixed to the fixed body 8 face each other to structure thesecond magnetic swing drive mechanism 22.

The magnetic swing drive mechanism 15 swings the optical module 4 aroundthe first axial line “R1” and around the second axial line “R2” by aresultant force of a magnetic-drive force generated by power feeding tothe first magnetic swing drive mechanism 21 and a magnetic-drive forcegenerated by power feeding to the second magnetic swing drive mechanism22. Power feeding to the first drive coils 34 and the second drive coils36 is controlled based on a detected result of a shake by the gyroscope11. In other words, a drive current is supplied to the first drive coil34 and the second drive coil 36 for driving the optical module in adirection for cancelling the shake detected by the gyroscope 11. As aresult, the optical module 4 is swung in an opposite direction to theshake around the first axial line “R1” and is swung in an oppositedirection to the shake around the second axial line “R2” and thus shakesin the pitching direction and the yawing direction are corrected.

In this embodiment, the first coil holding part 62 and the second coilholding part 63 are respectively protruded to an outer peripheral sidefrom the centers of the drive coils 34 and 36. Therefore, when themovable body 10 is moved to the “X”-axis direction or the “Y”-axisdirection due to a swing or an impact, the first coil holding part 62and the second coil holding part 63 are abutted with the facing magnets33 and 35 and a moving range of the optical module 4 can be restricted.Accordingly, deformation of the spring member 47 can be suppressed.

(Magnetic Rolling Drive Mechanism)

In a state that the holder 6 which holds the optical module 4 is held bythe fixed body 8 through the ball bearing 9, as shown in FIGS. 6A and14, the third drive coils 38 fixed to the holder 6 and the third drivemagnets 37 fixed to the fixed body 8 face each other on one side and theother side of the lens barrel 51 of the optical module 4 to structurethe magnetic rolling drive mechanism 16. These two sets of the thirddrive coils 38 and the third drive magnets 37 are provided so as togenerate magnetic-drive forces in the same direction around the “Z”-axis(third axial line “R3”) when an electric current is supplied through theflexible printed circuit board 100. Therefore, a shake correction aroundthe “Z”-axis (third axial line “R3”) can be performed by supplying anelectric current to the two third drive coils 38.

Power feeding to the third drive coils 38 is controlled so that theoptical module 4, in other words, the holder 6 which holds the opticalmodule is disposed at a predetermined home position around the “Z”-axisbased on a detected result of a shake by the magnetic sensor 67. In thisembodiment, the home position of the optical module 4 is a positionwhere the magnetic sensor 67 mounted on the optical module 4, in otherwords, on the holder 6 which holds the optical module 4 faces themagnetized polarizing line 37 a of the third drive magnet 37. The statethat the optical module 4 is located at the home position is shown inFIG. 14.

For example, when the optical module 4 is swung around the “Z”-axis, themagnetic sensor 67 is moved to one of magnetized portions of an “N”-poleand an “S”-pole from the magnetized polarizing line 37 a. As a result,an output (voltage output) from the magnetic sensor 67 is varied basedon a displaced amount (shake amount) of the optical module. Further, theoutput from the magnetic sensor 67 is varied to a plus side with respectto the reference voltage in a case that the optical module is swung toone side around the “Z”-axis with the home position (magnetizedpolarizing line 37 a) as a boundary and, when swung to the other side,the output from the magnetic sensor 67 is varied to a minus side withrespect to the reference voltage. As described above, an output from themagnetic sensor 67 is varied corresponding to a shake amplitude and ashake direction. Therefore, a drive current for driving the opticalmodule 4 in a direction for cancelling the shake detected by themagnetic sensor 67 is supplied based on an output from the magneticsensor 67. As a result, the optical module 4 is swung in an oppositedirection to the shake around the third axial line “R3” and thus theshake in the rolling direction is corrected.

In this embodiment, the optical unit 1 with a shake correction functionis provided with no spring member or the like which mechanically returnsthe optical module 4 to the home position. Therefore, power feeding tothe third drive coils 38 is always controlled based on an output fromthe magnetic sensor 67 so that the optical module 4 is located at thehome position.

The temperature sensor 68 which is fixed to the sensor holding part 66together with the magnetic sensor 67 is used for correcting an outputfrom the magnetic sensor 67. In other words, characteristics of themagnetic sensor 67 such as a Hall element are varied by heat. Further,temperature in a space surrounded by the third drive coil 38 is varieddue to heat generated by the third drive coil 38 through power feeding.Therefore, an output from the magnetic sensor 67 is corrected based onan output (temperature) from the temperature sensor 68 and, as a result,lowering of accuracy for a shake correction in the rolling direction dueto temperature change is restrained.

In this embodiment, when the holder 6 which holds the optical module 4is to be held by the fixed body 8 through the ball bearing 9, theprojection 44 of the holder 6 is inserted into the first opening part 43a of the third case 28 of the fixed body 8. Therefore, the projection 44and the first opening part 43 a of the third case 28 structure a turningangle range restriction mechanism (44, 43 a) which restricts a turningangle range around the “Z”-axis of the holder 6 (optical module 4). Inother words, when the holder 6 is excessively turned around the“Z”-axis, an inner peripheral wall face of the first opening part 43 aof the third case 28 is abutted with the projection 44 in thecircumferential direction around the “Z”-axis to restrict the turning.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a homeposition of the optical module 4 is not limited to a position where themagnetic sensor 67 and the magnetized polarizing line 37 a are facedeach other. For example, the home position may be set at a positionwhere the magnetic sensor 67 is disposed at a center of a turning anglerange of the holder 6 (optical module 4) which is restricted by theturning angle restriction mechanism. In a case that the home position isset as described above, the holder 6 (optical module 4) is turned over aturning angle range while monitoring an output of the magnetic sensor 67and an output from the magnetic sensor 67 at the center of the turningangle range is memorized in advance. Further, a position where an outputfrom the magnetic sensor 67 and a memorized value correspond each otheror are equal to each other is determined as a home position.

(Operations and Effects)

According to this embodiment, the magnetic swing drive mechanism 15 isstructured between the optical module 4 and the fixed body 8. Therefore,the magnetic rolling drive mechanism 16 is not required to turn theoptical module 4 and the holder 6 together with all the structure of themagnetic swing drive mechanism 15 when a shake correction around the“Z”-axis is to be performed. In other words, when a shake correctionaround the “Z”-axis is to be performed, the magnetic rolling drivemechanism 16 turns only one side of the drive magnets 33 and 35 and thedrive coils 34 and 36 together with the optical module 4 and the holder6, the one side being fixed to the optical module 4 which structure themagnetic swing drive mechanism 15. Therefore, in comparison with a casethat the magnetic swing drive mechanism 15 is structured between theoptical module 4 and the holder 6, load (load of a torque) applied tothe magnetic rolling drive mechanism 16 can be made small for performinga shake correction around the “Z”-axis. Accordingly, in this embodiment,a shake correction around the “Z”-axis can be performed with low powerconsumption. Further, a shake correction around the axial line can beperformed with a high degree of accuracy.

Further, all of the first drive magnets 33, the second drive magnets 35and the third drive magnets 37 are fixed to the fixed body 8. Since thefirst drive magnet 33, the second drive magnet 35 and the third drivemagnet 37 whose weights are heavier than the drive coils 34, 36 and 38are mounted on the fixed body 8, load applied to the magnetic rollingdrive mechanism 16 can be further reduced.

In addition, in the optical unit 1 with a shake correction function inthis embodiment, the ball bearing 9 which turnably supports the holder 6is located on an object side with respect to the gimbal mechanism 5.Further, the lens barrel 51 which holds the optical element 3 in theoptical module 4 is inserted on an inner peripheral side of the ballbearing 9. Therefore, in a case that the optical module 4 includes alens made of glass, a lens having a large diameter or the like as anoptical element 3, even when a gravity center of the holder 6 whichsupports the optical module 4 is displaced to an object side, a distancebetween the gravity center of the holder 6 and the ball bearing 9 can bereduced. Accordingly, when an external force is applied, stress occurredin the ball bearing 9 can be suppressed, the damage of the ball bearing9 or damage of portions of the holder 6 and the fixed body 8 supportedby the ball bearing 9 can be prevented or restrained. Further, the lensbarrel 51 can be protected from an outer peripheral side by the ballbearing 9.

Further, in this embodiment, the magnetic rolling drive mechanism 16 isdisposed in a free space around the “Z”-axis between the first magneticswing drive mechanism 21 and the second magnetic swing drive mechanism22. Therefore, the first magnetic swing drive mechanism 21, the secondmagnetic swing drive mechanism 22 and the magnetic rolling drivemechanism 16 can be disposed at the same position in the “Z”-axisdirection and thus a length in the “Z”-axis direction of the device canbe reduced.

In addition, the first swing support part 81 and the second swingsupport part 82 which support the movable frame 83 in the gimbalmechanism 5 is provided in a free space between the first magnetic swingdrive mechanism 21 and the second magnetic swing drive mechanism 22around the “Z”-axis and thus an increase in size of the device can besuppressed.

Further, in this embodiment, the third drive coil 38 is fixed to thesupport post 74 of the holder 6 which is provided with the second swingsupport part 82 supporting the movable frame 83 in the gimbal mechanism5. Therefore, the third drive coil 38 can be held by the holder 6 byutilizing the support post 74 of the gimbal mechanism 5.

In addition, in this embodiment, each of the first drive coil 34 and thesecond drive coil 36 is disposed on the optical module 4. Therefore,flexible printed circuit boards for power feeding for supplyingelectrical power to the respective drive coils 34 and 36 are easilycollected.

In this embodiment, the ball bearing 9 is used as the turnable supportmechanism 7 which turnably supports the holder 6. However, a turnablebearing such as a slide bearing may be used as the turnable supportmechanism 7. An oil retaining bearing may be used as a slide bearing.

Further, in this embodiment, the respective drive magnets 33, 35 and 37structuring the magnetic swing drive mechanism 15 and the magneticrolling drive mechanism 16 are fixed to the fixed body 8, and the firstand the second drive coils 34 and 36 are fixed to the optical module 4,and the third drive coil 38 is fixed to the holder 6. However, it may bestructured that the respective drive magnets 33, 35 and 37 areoppositely disposed to the corresponding drive coils 34, 36 and 38, andtheir arrangements are not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments.In other words, the first and the second drive magnets 33 and 35 and thefirst and the second drive coils 34 and 36 may be disposed on either ofthe optical module 4 and the fixed body 8. Further, it may be structuredthat the third drive magnet 37 is disposed on the holder 6 and the thirddrive coil 38 may be disposed on the fixed body 8. In this case, themagnetic sensor 67 is fixed to the same side as the third drive coil 38disposed on the fixed body 8 so as to face the third drive magnet 37.

Further, in the embodiment described above, the magnetic rolling drivemechanism 16 includes two sets of the third drive coils 38 and the thirddrive magnets 37. However, the magnetic rolling drive mechanism 16 mayinclude one set of the third drive coil 38 and the third drive magnet37. Further, the magnetic rolling drive mechanism 16 may include foursets of the third drive coils 38 and the third drive magnets 37. In thiscase, newly added two sets may be disposed on one side and the otherside with respect to the lens barrel 51 of the optical module 4 in thefirst intermediate direction “M”.

In the embodiment described above, the third drive magnet 37 and thethird drive coil 38 of the magnetic rolling drive mechanism 16 face inthe radial direction which is perpendicular to the “Z”-axis. However,the third drive magnet 37 and the third drive coil 38 may be disposed soas to face each other in the “Z”-axis direction. For example, thesupport post 74 of the holder 6 is extended to the “−Z” direction so asto face the plate member 40 of the second case 27 of the fixed body 8.In addition, the third drive magnet 37 is fixed to the plate member 40at a position facing a tip end of the support post 74. Further, a holderholding part which holds the third drive coil 38 is provided at a tipend of the support post 74 of the holder 6 and the third drive coil 38fixed in the tip end of support post 74 is oppositely disposed to thethird drive magnet 37. In this case, the third drive magnet 37 isdivided into two pieces in a circumferential direction around the“Z”-axis, and the magnetic poles on the inner face side are polarizedand magnetized so as to be different from each other with the dividedposition as a boundary. The magnetized polarizing line 37 a is extendedin a radial direction at the center in the circumferential direction ofthe third drive magnet 37. Further, the magnetic sensor 67 is fixed tothe tip end of the support post 74 so as to face the magnetizedpolarizing line 37 a of the third drive magnet 37. Also in this case,the movable body 10 can be turned around the “Z”-axis by power feedingto the third drive coil 38.

While the description above refers to particular embodiments of thepresent invention, it will be understood that many modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claimsare intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the truescope and spirit of the present invention.

The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered inall respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of theinvention being indicated by the appended claims, rather than theforegoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning andrange of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embracedtherein.

What is claimed is:
 1. An optical unit with a shake correction function,the optical unit comprising: an optical module structured to hold anoptical element; a swing support mechanism structured to swingablysupport the optical module between a reference posture where apredetermined axial line and an optical axis are coincided with eachother and an inclined posture where the optical axis is inclined withrespect to the axial line; a holder structured to hold the opticalmodule through the swing support mechanism; a turnable support mechanismstructured to turnably support the holder around the axial line; a fixedbody structured to support the holder through the turnable supportmechanism; a magnetic swing drive mechanism structured to swing theoptical module; and a magnetic rolling drive mechanism structured toturn the holder; wherein the magnetic swing drive mechanism comprises: aswing drive magnet which is fixed to one of the optical module and thefixed body; and a swing drive coil which is fixed to an other of theoptical module and the fixed body so as to face the swing drive magnet;and wherein the magnetic rolling drive mechanism comprises: a rollingdrive magnet which is fixed to one of the holder and the fixed body; anda rolling drive coil which is disposed on an other of the holder and thefixed body so as to face the rolling drive magnet; wherein the turnablesupport mechanism comprises a turnable bearing structured to support theholder on an object side with respect to the swing support mechanism;wherein the magnetic swing drive mechanism comprises a first magneticswing drive mechanism and a second magnetic swing drive mechanismrespectively structured to swing the optical module, when two directionsperpendicular to the axial line and intersecting each other are referredto as a first direction and a second direction, the swing supportmechanism swingably supports the optical module around a first axialline along the first direction and around a second axial line along thesecond direction, the rolling drive magnet and the rolling drive coilface each other in at least one of the first direction and the seconddirection, and the magnetic rolling drive mechanism is disposed betweenthe first magnetic swing drive mechanism and the second magnetic swingdrive mechanism around the axial line; wherein the first magnetic swingdrive mechanism comprises a first swing drive coil fixed to the opticalmodule and a first swing drive magnet fixed to the fixed body whereinthe second magnetic swing drive mechanism comprises a second swing drivecoil fixed to the optical module and a second swing drive magnet fixedto the fixed body, and wherein the rolling drive coil is fixed to theholder and the rolling drive magnet is fixed to the fixed body; whereinthe optical module comprises a lens barrel which holds the opticalelement, wherein the swing support mechanism comprises: a frame bodywhich surrounds the lens barrel around the axial line; an optical moduleside support part structured to swingably support the frame body on aside of the optical module; and a holder side support part structured toswingably support the frame body on a side of the holder, wherein theoptical module side support part and the holder side support part arelocated between the first magnetic swing drive mechanism and the secondmagnetic swing drive mechanisms around the axial line; wherein the framebody structuring the swing support mechanism is a gimbal springcomprising a frame part and supporting point parts provided in the framepart at four positions around the optical axis; wherein the supportingpoint part comprises a convex face in a hemispheric shape; wherein theoptical module side support part and the holder side support partrespectively comprise a contact point part formed of a recessed part ina hemispheric shape; and wherein the optical module side support part isswingably supported by the holder side support part by contacting theconvex face in the hemispheric shape of the supporting point part withthe contact point part formed in the recessed part in the hemisphericshape.
 2. The optical unit with a shake correction function according toclaim 1, wherein one of the rolling drive coil and the rolling drivemagnet is fixed to the holder side support part.
 3. The optical unitwith a shake correction function according to claim 1, wherein the lensbarrel is inserted on an inner peripheral side with respect to theturnable bearing.
 4. The optical unit with a shake correction functionaccording to claim 1, wherein the turnable bearing is a ball bearing, anouter ring of the ball bearing is held by a circular-shaped innerperipheral face of a case structuring the fixed body, an inner ring ofthe ball bearing is held on an outer peripheral side of a cylindricaltube part of the holder, and a lens barrel of the optical module whichholds the optical element is held on an inner peripheral side of thecylindrical tube part of the holder.
 5. The optical unit with a shakecorrection function according to claim 4, wherein the magnetic swingdrive mechanism comprises a first magnetic swing drive mechanism and asecond magnetic swing drive mechanism respectively structured to swingthe optical module, when two directions perpendicular to the axial lineand intersecting each other are referred to as a first direction and asecond direction, the swing support mechanism swingably supports theoptical module around a first axial line along the first direction andaround a second axial line along the second direction, the rolling drivemagnet and the rolling drive coil face each other in at least one of thefirst direction and the second direction, and the magnetic rolling drivemechanism is disposed between the first magnetic swing drive mechanismand the second magnetic swing drive mechanism around the axial line. 6.The optical unit with a shake correction function according to claim 5,wherein the first magnetic swing drive mechanism comprises a first swingdrive coil fixed to the optical module and a first swing drive magnetfixed to the fixed body, the second magnetic swing drive mechanismcomprises a second swing drive coil fixed to the optical module and asecond swing drive magnet fixed to the fixed body, and the rolling drivecoil is fixed to the holder and the rolling drive magnet is fixed to thefixed body.
 7. The optical unit with a shake correction functionaccording to claim 5, wherein the optical module comprise a lens barrelwhich holds the optical element, the swing support mechanism comprises:a frame body which surrounds the lens barrel around the axial line; anoptical module side support part which swingably supports the frame bodyon a side of the optical module; and a holder side support partstructured to swingably support the frame body on a side of the holder,the optical module side support part and the holder side support partare located between the first magnetic swing drive mechanism and thesecond magnetic swing drive mechanisms around the axial line.
 8. Theoptical unit with a shake correction function according to claim 1,wherein the magnetic rolling drive mechanism comprises a magnetic sensorwhich is attached to one of the holder and the fixed body where therolling drive coil is fixed, the rolling drive magnet is polarized andmagnetized in a circumferential direction around the axial line, and themagnetic sensor faces a magnetized polarizing line of the rolling drivemagnet when the holder is located at a predetermined home positionaround the axial line.
 9. The optical unit with a shake correctionfunction according to claim 8, wherein the rolling drive magnet is fixedto the fixed body, and the rolling drive coil and the magnetic sensorare fixed to the holder.
 10. The optical unit with a shake correctionfunction according to claim 9, wherein the rolling drive coil is formedin a frame shape whose center is opened, and the magnetic sensor islocated in an opening of the rolling drive coil formed in the frameshape.
 11. The optical unit with a shake correction function accordingto claim 10, wherein the rolling drive coil is formed in a substantiallyrectangular frame shape whose two long sides are extended in a directionof the axial line, the magnetic sensor is provided at a middle positionin the circumferential direction with respect to the two long sides, andthe magnetic sensor faces the magnetized polarizing line of the rollingdrive magnet at the home position.
 12. The optical unit with a shakecorrection function according to claim 1, further comprising a turningangle restriction mechanism which restricts a turning angle range of theholder, wherein the turning angle restriction mechanism comprises: aprotruded part which is protruded in a direction intersecting theoptical axis from one of the holder and the fixed body; and a turningangle restriction part which is provided in the other of the holder andthe fixed body and structured to abut with the protruded part in thecircumferential direction around the optical axis.
 13. An optical unitwith a shake correction function, the optical unit comprising: anoptical module structured to hold an optical element; a swing supportmechanism structured to swingably support the optical module between areference posture where a predetermined axial line and an optical axisare coincided with each other and an inclined posture where the opticalaxis is inclined with respect to the axial line; a holder structured tohold the optical module through the swing support mechanism; a turnablesupport mechanism structured to turnably support the holder around theaxial line; a fixed body structured to support the holder through theturnable support mechanism; a magnetic swing drive mechanism structuredto swing the optical module; and a magnetic rolling drive mechanismstructured to turn the holder; wherein the magnetic swing drivemechanism comprises: a swing drive magnet which is fixed to one of theoptical module and the fixed body; and a swing drive coil which is fixedto the other of the optical module and the fixed body so as to face theswing drive magnet; and wherein the magnetic rolling drive mechanismcomprises: a rolling drive magnet which is fixed to one of the holderand the fixed body; and a rolling drive coil which is disposed on theother of the holder and the fixed body so as to face the rolling drivemagnet; wherein the turnable support mechanism comprises a turnablebearing structured to support the holder on an object side with respectto the swing support mechanism; wherein the turnable bearing is a ballbearing; wherein an outer ring of the ball bearing is held by acircular-shaped inner peripheral face of a case structuring the fixedbody; wherein an inner ring of the ball bearing is held on an outerperipheral side of a cylindrical tube part of the holder; and wherein alens barrel of the optical module which holds the optical element isheld on an inner peripheral side of the cylindrical tube part of theholder.